Three Months

On the 23rd Waldron turned three. months. old. That's a quarter of a year already! I know I sound like a broken record, but how is this happening so fast? Fall is here, so our naked outdoor shots have probably come to an end. I guess I'll have to put him in some clothes! But we can do naked shots inside to mama's heart's content. Here are a few:

The closeup to compare to two months and one month. His face continues to fill out. His hair is getting longer and is very even all over his head.

Little feet that are quickly growing out of all of Wally's socks.

This makes me smile. He's such a happy baby. Of course, when Mama puts the big black box in front of her face, those smiles disappear. This is the hat that Kelly made for him. It still fits, but just barely. Remember his newborn shot with it?

More contemplative and sweet.

And a bonus shot with big sis who continues to love her little bro. Now she says, "I love you, Wally." before she goes to bed every night.
My little guy is really waking up to the world these days. He has discovered his hands and he'll use them to grab or bat at items of interest -- usually mama's hair or shirt. Sometimes I'll catch him staring at his hands while he's in the swing. I can nearly always elicit a big, open-mouthed smile by standing Wally up on my lap and smiling at him. Lately, when I do this he'll jerk forward with his mouth open and try to eat my face. It's a fun game we play. This evening I was kissing his cheeks (fat mama kisses, not just little pecks) and he started laughing and let out the loudest squeal we've heard from him.

Our non-scientific measurements get Wally at 25 inches long at three months old, and we guess that he's about 13 3/4 pounds. Those 3-6 month onesies are on their way out and 6 month clothes are filtering into his wardrobe. I've started knitting baby hats (ostensibly for my newborn clients, but Wally and Abby will both benefit from Mama's new hobby), so you'll see him in some fun ones in the coming months.

Before Wally was born I worried about how attached I would feel to baby #2, a boy. I have to laugh about that now. Wally is so adorable, beautiful, and amazing, that I am overcome with love for him on a daily basis. And when he looks at me, I swear I see that love mirrored back at me. I am so lucky to be this baby boy's mama. If only his babyhood wouldn't fly by so quickly...

Two Months

Can you believe it? Our little Waldron made his grand entrance to the world two months ago today. I decided to do a quick mini-shoot to celebrate. Here's the same shot as last month so we can compare. I think he's got more hair and eyelashes and cheeks now.
And while he was smiling at three weeks, he's doing it much more easily now. Of course, usually the smiles go away when the big black box appears in front of mama's face. Here's the beginning of one.

And not a great picture, but it shows a bigger smile. They can get WAY bigger, but he wasn't feeling those ones this afternoon.

Demure, no?

Lifting his head a bit. He's super strong (when he wants to be). Mama loves his sweet lips and huge blue eyes, his squishy cheeks (both sets) and the creases on his neck (that smell like cheese) and shoulders.

Nearly a favorite. You get a hint of leg chub and curled toes.

At eight weeks Wally weighed 12 pounds and 4 ounces. We forgot to measure him, but he's busting out of 0-3 clothes and really fills 3-6. He's having longer periods of alert and happy time, and now I can lay him on a blanket on the floor and he'll be content to stare up at the light fixture in the living room. He loves that thing. Abigail is also a favorite source of amusement and he has smiles for her all the time. Big Sis is earning her wings! I LOVE that they entertain each other.

Abigail, Wally, and I have gotten into a groove, and can now make it to engagements on time (and sometimes early!). I've had to leave Wally with Grandma several times for preschool or work, but he still isn't wanting to take a bottle. I can get him to do it when I return, but what's the point of ME being able to bottle-feed him? Nights are smooth -- sometimes he'll only wake up once (and not till 5am!), and it's not a big deal when he does wake because we just side-lie nurse and Mama goes back to sleep.

My biggest challenge has been finding time to keep up with work (which is really a good thing) because Wally nurses ALL the time and it's pretty hard to edit photos with one hand. Other than that (well, that and the incredibly messy house) life is good. The pre-Wally me would be shocked that the post-Wally me could ever write that. I was so nervous about being mom to TWO. But like all moms, I do what I have to and we just make things work. And I guess it helps that I think my two kids are the most wonderful kids in the world.

Welcome Charlie!

Something about 10-day-old Charlie really got to me. Was it that he's a boy and I'm four weeks (or so) away from meeting my own? Very possibly. But he also slept like an angel and let me do pretty much whatever I wanted with him. Add in two over-the-moon in love parents and it would be hard for anyone to not be completely smitten. See if you can resist his charms in the following photos!

A close-up of sweet little lips.
I've got lots of new favorites from this session. This is one.

A little yawn.

Charlie's daddy, Eric, is from Wyoming, and Charlie's room is decked out in this vintage cowboy print. A smile!

Mama Natalie looking beautiful with her boy.

As I was shooting this, Natalie was fighting tears behind me.

Love the long limbs dangling. I'm telling you, this boy let us do WHATEVER we wanted.

So, did having a subject who was completely cooperative (well, except for the pooping/peeing all over us at the end) mean that this session was over in a flash? Of course not. Between my long pauses to admire gorgeous Charlie and my desire to try out just one more thing, the session lasted just as long as if we'd had to soothe the babe to sleep after every shot. Oh well. Natalie and Eric were a joy to hang out with and I'm so, so happy for them. Enjoy your sneak peak, guys!

Three Days Old

My dear friend Sarah gave birth to a beautiful, BIG baby boy on Wednesday. On Saturday two friends (Chrissy and Caroline) and I took a little roadtrip to see Sarah and the newest member of our extended family, Jackson. While Caroline and Chrissy grocery shopped and stocked Sarah's fridge with all kinds of goodies, I did what I do best. Here are some of the shots.

Need I say it? The bum shot.

Jackson and Marley. I was truly impressed by Marley's cooperation. I'm sure she and Jackson will be lifelong friends.

Marley gives Jackson a kiss.

Look at all the lines on his feet! Isn't it amazing that we are born with those creases already in place?

Sarah and P.J.'s house is full of beautiful wood. We dumped the pinecones out of this gorgeous bowl and filled it with baby.
P.J. set this shot up for me. Like it?

Father and son.

I love this family shot. Sarah, you look beautiful, and so in love.

Jackson looking up at mama. So sweet.

One of my absolute favorites.

Sarah and P.J., I'm so thrilled to have gotten to meet Jackson and to see you two in parental action. You are doing a beautiful job, and Jackson is so lucky to have you both. I can't wait to watch him grow and learn and change. It's an amazing trip! I hope you find some photos here to love. Enjoy!

Run, Baby, Run

This morning I met my dear friend, Caroline, at Discovery Park to take pictures of her 16 month-old son, Alex. We started off in a large field, moved to a playground, and finally let Alex just RUN down a quiet road, chasing me with the camera. I'm willing to bet he took a fabulous nap when he got home! Alex is a couple of months older than Abigail, and it is amazing to me to see him running and chattering away (real words!). Oh my, time goes so quickly.

The morning light in this field was perfect.
Running to Mommy.
Just running...

One of many snack breaks. I've also got some great ones with his mouth full!


I had to run to keep in front of Alex, but every time I took off, so did he. I think he got a kick out of chasing me.

This is at the beginning of a LONG staircase. He climbed the entire thing!

Caroline, I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek. I had such a great time with you guys today! Here's to many more fun days together!